20
RTLS data enables us to identify true root
causes and optimal solutions
A clinic argued delays in the laboratory were causing patients to arrive after scheduled clinic
appointment time, disrupting provider schedules.
The clinic proposed to schedule lab appointment 2 hours (instead of 1 hour) prior to clinic
appointment to mitigate lab delays.
Patient 1: No lab prior to the clinic appointment. Arrived at CSC and 3
rd
FL on time
Patient 2: 5 minutes wait at Lab. Patient arrived at CSC 1 hour late.
Patient 3: 1 minute wait at Lab. Patient arrived in CSC only 12 minutes prior to the Clinic appointment
time. Still arrived at 3
rd
FL on time.
Patient 4: No lab prior to the clinic appointment. Pt. arrived at CSC only 2 minutes prior to the clinic
appointment.
Patient 5: No lab prior to the clinic appointment. Arrived at CSC and 3rd FL on time
Patient 6: No lab prior to the clinic appointment. Pt. arrived at CSC only 1 minutes prior to the clinic
appointment.
Patient 7: 1 minute wait at Lab. Patient had another appointment in 3 D&T. Still arrived at the clinic on
time
Patient 8: No lab prior to the clinic appointment. Arrived at CSC and 3rd FL on time
Patient 9: 4 minute wait at Lab. Arrived at CSC and 3rd FL on time
Patient 10: 13 minute wait at Lab. Patient could have arrived at 3
rd
FL on time, but for some reason, the
patient spent 21 minutes in cafeteria, arrived at clinic 26 minutes late .
Analysis of 500 patients
with significant clinic
wait time revealed that
the proposed solution
would be a very costly
one without much
impact
On average, 74 pts/day require lab prior to cardiology appointment:
74 hours of unnecessary pt. waiting, staff resources, space avoided!